78rpm Dual Turntable Help

[weslyn]

I have an old fidelitone model a dual turntable which plays at 78rpm speed. what options do I have to get one of them to play at a different speed? is there an innovative or easy way to do it?here is a picture.

[Da5id4Vz]

Looks like it has an extra tone arm.

Perhaps you can just add a third platter to go with it?

[weslyn]

where would the third platter go? what are the basic steps or what I should know to replace the motor? would adding friction to the top piece by a rubber stopper do it maybe? please help

[mrfeedback]

Weslyn,
You would be much better to find a different turntable to play your 33's and 45's rather than wreck that classic collectors item.
Is this the original DJ console ?.

Eric.

[Elso Kwak]

Hi, The Technics SL10 is a good direct drive with 78 rpm option!

[weslyn]

this collectible is hifi all-tube with headphone jack, input for voice, and a 12 inch speaker included. sounds very good to give up on.
man, I could hook this thing up to my pc speakers with the headphone jack, very flexible, but this single problem with the speed is pulling my hair out. please help

[Nat Eddy]

You could get a new smaller diameter pulley machined (assuming of course that the turntables are idler drive (a safe assumption) and that the idler is driven off a pulley, rather than the actual motor shaft (less safe assumption). But a bigger issue is that, since 78's are mono, the turntables are likely to have a significant amount of rumble -- the groove on mono discs is cut with horizontal motion only, so vertical vibration isn't particularly important. Consequently mono turntables are often unsuitable for stereo (or even microgroove) use. It's possible that it wouldn't be an issue, but its something to think about before altering such a neat item -- it would be a real pity to put the work in and find out it doesn't play non 78s well.

[EC8010]

Wow! What a machine! I suspect it's on the wrong forum. You ought to check this out with the vintage freaks. Modifying it could eliminate its value.

If you mean, "how can I play 78s," then you need a turntable that can do 78 with variable speed (many 78s weren't 78). You will also need dedicated stylus tips (not a problem, lots of places do them) and a dedicated pre-amplifier to cope with the various equalisations.

Alternatively, you could get an acoustical gramophone and adjust the positioning of the sock in the horn.

It all depends on how serious you are. Just don't wreck what might turn out to be a priceless artifact.

[weslyn]

Thanks. it sounds nice on 78's. I went online (amazing huh?) and talked to a semi-vintage turntable serviceman. He suggested
shaving the motor pulleys on it. No way! Im too careful to modify/upgrade it but not alter it in any manner. I would like to replace one of the turntables with a new one designed for 33/45 rpms, but where do I start? I play guitar using all-tube amps and know this is the way to go for sound. this is a keeper

[markp]

Originally posted by Elso Kwak
Hi, The Technics SL10 is a good direct drive with 78 rpm option!

What 78rpm option? My SL10 has only 33 and 45. I love it dearly and get all sorts of 'what is that!?' comments.